Israeli minister says Israel not bound by US-Iran agreement Israeli science minister Gila Gamliel said Israel does not consider itself bound by the agreement reached between the United States and Iran and will continue military operations. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 7, Gamliel, who is a member of Israel’s political-security cabinet, said: “We are not a party to the agreement, and from our perspective, we will continue until we achieve the goal of disarming Hezbollah.” Gamliel also signalled that Israel intends to maintain its military presence in parts of southern Lebanon. “Realistically, we are deeply entrenched inside Lebanon, and we do not intend to withdraw from the areas we have controlled up to the Litani River and Beaufort Castle,” she said, adding that residents would not be allowed to return to those areas until Hezbollah was disarmed.